If you have long hair, you know how annoying it can get when you are swimming, and it gets all up in your face. If only there was a way of holding it back besides tying it. Well, lucky for you there is, and it comes in the form of a swim cap.
Swim caps may be simple in design, but they have plenty of advantages for both the swimmer and the pool owner. They will keep your hair from the chlorine in the water, and since hair does tend to fall off our heads, help to keep it away from the filter.
All these uses from such a simple design should be enough to get you to buy yourself a swim cap for the next time you plan on going swimming. Well, that and some swimming fins.
But the question now becomes…how do you put on a swim cap? This is how you properly put on a swimming pool cap.
How to wear a swim cap
There are three ways you can wear a swim cap. You can either put on a swim cap by yourself, using the help of a partner, or wearing a swim cap with a friend.
If you are wearing a swim cap on your own then the first thing you need to check is the length of your hair. If you have short hair then this should not be a problem. Just slide the swim cap on.
On the other hand, if your hair is long, you will need to ensure that it is tied back correctly either in a bun or a ponytail.
The swim cap may cause the hair to drop down so make sure that you tie it a bit higher up your head than normal.
The material construction of the swim cap can make it a bit rough on your hair. As you put it on, it can pull on your hair causing a bit of pain. To avoid this, wet your hair in a tap or a shower. It should make it easy for the swim cap to slide on your head.
Some people will go a step further and wet the inside of the cap with tap water. This is also going to allow it to slide nicely over your head. Once properly worn, you can freestyle swim for as long as you like. The 10 best freestyle swimming tips and techniques will teach you all you need to know.
However, it’s important to note that it all depends on the type of materials that the swim cap is made from. In some caps, wetting the inside can make it hard to wear the cap.
Wearing a swim cap should be easy now. All you will need to do is tilt your head forward and let the cap catch your forehead between the hairline and the eyebrows. Then pull the rest of the swim cap over your head. Thanks to the fact that your hair is wet, it should slide easily.
Lastly, position the swim cap such that it covers your entire head and feels comfortable. You will need to tuck strands of hair inside the cap as well as covering your ears. However, the ears are a matter of personal preference. Some people may prefer not to cover their ears at all.
Now that you are all set, wear your monofins and dive straight in! If you plan on snorkeling you will also need swimming snorkels.
Wearing a swim cap with a partner
Wearing a swim cap can be easier if you have a partner. You will not have to worry about exerting too much pressure as you put the swim cap on your head.
The process is the same as a partner as it is when you are wearing it by yourself. Start by tying up your hair in a ponytail or bum. Position the tie higher up your head as wearing the swim cap will tend to move the hair around.
Next, wet your hair or the swim cap so it slides easily over your head and doesn’t pull on it causing pain.
And now for the part where your swim partner will help out. Take your swim cap and pull it over your forehead between the hairline and the eyebrows while your partner pulls it over the back of your head.
Some swim caps can be tight to wear and the partner helps to make it super easy.
Lastly, make any adjustments to ensure that the cap fits comfortably around your head. This includes pulling out your ears or tucking them in depending on what you prefer.
If you have more swimming accessories such as swimmers shampoo, or swimming headphones a swim bag offers the perfect way to carry them.
Wearing the swim cap by dropping on head
Another interesting way to wear a swim cap is by dropping it on your head. You will need to have your buddy do this for you.
Start by tying your hair tightly as the cap will cause it to shift. Next, sit down and let your friend turn the swim cap inside out and fill it with water while holding it at the sides.
Then your friend is going to stand over you and drop the swim cap as it is directly over your head. The weight of the water should cause it to unfold over your head the right way.
Why you need to wear a swim cap
One of the main advantages of a swim cap is that it helps to reduce hydrodynamic drag. As you move through the water, the swim cap will create a hydrodynamic surface that allows the water to flow over your head easily. A swimsuit will also allow you to move through the water with more ease.
People in swimming competitions find swimming caps highly useful as they allow them to swim much faster with less drag on their bodies.
The ears are one of the places where your body loses a lot of heat. By covering your ears, you are better able to conserve body heat when in the water.
Do you always need to wear a swim cap?
The short and simple answer is no, you do not always have to wear a swim cap. However, if you have longer hair, you may find it much more comfortable to wear a swim cap. Always have a swim towel tucked in your swim bag for wiping yourself dry after your swim session.
Different types of swim caps
Swim caps are made from different materials including neoprene, latex, and silicone.
Silicon swim caps
Silicone swim caps are of course made from silicone. This makes them the most durable type of swim caps available on the market. Silicon is thin and not only does it reduce the drag, but it is also very easy to wear and remove. You do not need much experience on how to put on a swimming cap in this case.
Rubber caps
Among the most common materials used to make swim caps is rubber. Compared to latex or silicon, they are thick. This makes them less stretchy. However, the fact that they are lightweight and less expensive than silicon swim caps makes them an ideal choice among many swimmers.
It’s important to note that for people who are allergic to latex, the rubber will not be their best choice for a swimming cap considering that rubber is derived from latex.
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Latex swim caps
Compared to silicon, latex is much thinner but not as durable. For the best service, it’s important to ensure the right maintenance procedures as latex is simple to tear. Their thin design makes them ideal for warmer climate swimming.
The benefit is that they also tend to be more breathable. They are much more affordable than silicone swim caps so if you are on a budget and want to spend as little as possible, then latex swim caps are ideal.
Neoprene caps
Neoprene is the same type of synthetic rubber that is found on wetsuits. They function the same way by trapping a thin layer of water close to your body. This water is in turn heated by the body which allows it to maintain a constant warm temperature.
They are not, however, the best at hydrodynamics. If you are working out for swimming, then the increased drag and the 10 swimming workouts that build strength will help your body build muscle making you more powerful underwater.
This makes neoprene caps ideal for swimming in colder waters. If you plan on swimming in such cold waters, then you will also need a wet suit. The downside is that they are not the best at reducing drag.
Swimming caps that are best for long hair
Neoprene swimming caps will not pull your hair and feel very comfortable on your head. Wearing them is super easy. However, the downside is that this material isn’t the best if you are looking to reduce drag and you will need some practice on how to wear a swim cap made from neoprene.
Rubber, silicone, or latex
Are the best as far as reducing drag is concerned but will pull your hair as you wear them causing pain. You can get around this problem by using water as we saw in the techniques above.
Wearing the right swim cap size
Swimming caps come in different sizes and you will also need to factor in the elasticity of the material used to make the cap.
The good thing is that picking the right size shouldn’t be much of a problem as often one size tends to fit all. However, if you have a larger or smaller head than average you may need to choose your size correctly.
You can do this by measuring the circumference of your head with a tape measure and then use this to pick the best cap. The swim cap should be smaller than the circumference of your head for the best fit and comfort.
The best swim caps for keeping your hair dry
The main function of swimming caps is not to keep your hair dry but to reduce the drag. To find one that is going to keep your hair entirely dry might prove difficult and while they may keep some of the water out, they will not keep out all of the water.
If you intend to keep your hair completely dry there are a few things that you can do. One of the easiest ways to reduce the amount of water that gets to your hair is to wear two swim caps.
A second way is to cut out the crown section of the swim cap to make it look like a headband. When this is worn under a swim cap, it results in a thick seal that prevents water from getting through under the swim cap by providing a great surface for the swim cap to grab on.
Some swim caps come with ridges that run parallel to each other on the bottom edge of the swim cap. While it is not the reason for the design, they do tend to allow less water from penetrating the hair. all these choices mean that you should take the time to learn how to put on a swimming cap.
Also, consider nose clips for swimming to keep you from breathing in water through your nose.
Swim caps that cover the ears
Just like swim caps are not designed to keep your hair dry, they will also not keep your ears completely dry. However, you can keep most of the water out by pulling the swim cap over your ears. Some people will prefer to swim with their ears out.
If you have had issues with your ears or have undergone previous surgery, then it’s important to keep water out of your ears. You may also require earplugs for swimming.
Other tips for wearing your swimming cap
Sometimes the swimming cap may be so tight around your head that you feel uncomfortable. If only there was a way to make it stop the sticking feeling. Great thing is that there is. Simply take talcum powder and add a decent amount on the inside of the swimming cap before wearing it. This should prevent it from sticking on the skin.
Some people will also prefer to wear a swimming cap from the back to the front. Once they tie their hair into a bun, wearing from the back ensures that there are no strands of hair that have been left out.
Sometimes wearing a swimming cap can be annoying when it slowly starts to slide off of your head. It could even take your swimming goggles off. One effective way to prevent this is to wear the caps far down your forehead and very near to the eyes. The shape of the forehead should prevent it from sliding back.
When choosing a swim cap, bright colors are best when you are doing open water swimming as well as some good triathlon goggles for open water swimming. This allows you to easily be seen.
While you are practicing your swimming, you might need swim cords to help you build more endurance.
Globo surf overview
Wearing a swim cap can look like the easiest thing in the world but once you have tried it a couple of times, you will quickly discover that there is a lot more involved. There is more than one way to wear a swim cap and the method you choose often comes down to personal preference.